ZeroHour

CVE-2026-48907

KEVmass

Unauthenticated PHP Code Upload and Execution in Joomla Content Editor (JCE)

CISA: Widget Factory Joomla Content Editor Improper Access Control Vulnerability

CVSS 4.0
10.0 critical
EPSS
78%p100
Published
()
KEV added
AI analysis

CVE-2026-48907 is an improper access control flaw (CWE-284) in the Joomla Content Editor (JCE) extension from Widget Factory Limited that allows unauthenticated users to create new editor profiles. Because these profiles can confer file-upload privileges, an attacker can reach the editor's upload functionality without logging in, upload malicious PHP files, and have the web server execute them, resulting in unauthenticated remote code execution with high impact on system confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CVSS 4.0 score of 10). Any Joomla site running the affected JCE extension is exposed, with internet-facing sites most at risk. The flaw was added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-06-16, confirming in-the-wild exploitation, and EPSS assigns a 78.1% probability of exploitation within 30 days (100th percentile). No public proof-of-concept is known, but CISA and Australian authorities have warned of active CMS exploitation targeting this flaw.

What to do: Apply the latest JCE update per Widget Factory Limited's vendor instructions, in line with CISA BOD 26-04 requirements (federal agencies must patch or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable). Until patched, verify whether unauthenticated users can create editor profiles in your JCE configuration, restrict access to the extension, and inspect webroots and logs for unexpected PHP file uploads. Given confirmed active exploitation and a very high EPSS score, prioritize internet-facing Joomla sites immediately.

Affected
Widget Factory Limited Joomla Content Editor (JCE)
Estimated exposure
masson the order of 100,000+ Joomla sites (estimate) — No exact install counts were provided in the data, so the estimate is based on JCE's long-standing position as one of the most widely installed third-party extensions in the Joomla ecosystem, most of which are internet-facing websites;…

Order-of-magnitude estimate by the model from install counts, market share and public scan data it knows; verify before quoting.

Description

A vulnerability in the JCE editor extension for Joomla allows the creation of new editor profiles for unauthenticated users, ultimately resulting in PHP code upload and execution.

CISA Known Exploited Vulnerability
Affected
Widget Factory Joomla Content Editor
Required action
Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating each asset's internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines.
Due date
Ransomware use
Unknown
Vendors
widgetfactorylimited
Products
jce
Ecosystems
Joomla
Weakness
CWE-284
Vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H/E:A/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:Y/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:Red

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